1 



! 
! 
a 

i 

i 
i 

I 



When 



I SYRACUSE 



WAS A 



VILLAGE 



i SNAP SHOTS 

i 
i 

i EARLY DAYS 

I 



TAKEN FROM 

VILLAGE RECORDS 

IN THE 

CITY CLERKS OFFICE 
1915 



When 



SYRACUSE 



was a 



VILLAGE 



SNAP SHOTS 

of 

EARLY DAYS 



Taken from 

VILLAGE RECORDS 

in the 

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE 
1915 






TO THE 

ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 

IS DEDICATED 



This collection of notes showing early official 
moves and methods in the making of Syracuse, 
in the hope that it will prove of interest, and per- 
haps of use, to those who are concerned in the 
preserving of a knowledge of our hometown history. 

JOHN N. ALSEVER, 

City Clerk. 



Syracuse, N. Y., November 20, 1915. 



em 

Associatior 






This record of some of the early events of Syracuse that seemed 
most divergent, either in method or purpose, from present up-to-date 
city affairs, was made incidental to a search by this office of the 
books of the village Board of Trustees in the preparation of a public 
utility franchise index of both village and city. 

The examination of the village records for this purpose was 
made by John G. White, from whose supplementary notes the fol- 
lowing pages were prepared. 

They are intended to show in brief form, without attempt to pro- 
duce a running narrative, some things whi:h now appear strange, 
even amusing, and others which serve to recall the men who, now 
generally forgotten, laid the foundation, nearly a hundred years ago, 
of the present municipality. 

Care has been taken, in quoting the records, to reproduce the 
spelling, punctuation, capitalization and paragraphing, even when 
faulty, as was not infrequently the case. Words italicized in the fol- 
lowing pages were underscored in the records. 

The marginal date is, in each case, that on which the event is 
recorded in the village books. 



V 



"An Act to Incorporate 

the 

VILLAGE OF SYRACUSE" 

was passed 

April 13, 1825. 



VILLAGE OF SYRACUSE 



YEAR 1825 

Date of Record 

At a meeting of freeholders and inhabitants of the village of May 3 
Syracuse, "held pursuant to notice at the schoolhouse," Tuesday, 
May 3, 1825, the following officers were chosen: 

Trustees — Joshua Forman, Amos P. Granger, Moses D. Burnet, 
Heman Walbridge, John Rogers. 

Assessors — James Webb, Alfred Northam, Thomas Spencer. 

Clerk— John Wilkinson. 

Treasurer — John Durnford. 

Poundmaster — Henry Young. 

Constables — Jesse D. Rose, Henry W. Durnford. 

Overseer, Highway District No. 1, Henry Young. 

Overseer, Highway District No. 2, John Garrison. 



That the above were elected in pursuance of the act to incorpor- May 3 
ate the village of Syracuse is certified in the record by Daniel Gil- 
bert, Justice of the Peace, presiding. 



Joshua Forman chosen President of the Board of Trustees. May 4 

The record of a meeting of the village Board of Trustees shows 
the following: 

Resolved that Othniel H. Williston, George W. 
Tanner, Hiram C. Woodworth and James Mann 
are severally fit persons to be licensed as tavern 
keepers in said village and that Certificates to 
that effect be issued to them respectively. 

Resolved that a book be procured for record- 
ing the proceedings of the Board of Trustees and 
their accounts. And that a seal for the Corpora- 
tion be procured with the words "Syracuse Vil- 
lage" on an oval oi V/i inches with some suitable 
device. 



Second meeting of board recorded as having been held "at the May 8 
jffice of M. D. Burnett." 

Ordered 

that the following Licenses made on application 
of the parties to keep groceries in the village be 
handed to the Treasurer to be by him delivered 
on the execution of the bond required by Law and 
the payment of the sum of twenty five dollars 



each towit Joseph Thompson, Henry Newton, 
Stephen W. Cadwell, Paschal N. Thurber, Joel 
Owen, Peter Van Olinda, Henry W. Dumford, 
Hayden Rice, William T. Arnold, Ambrose 
Kapon, Bush J. Vase, and Andrew N. Vanpatten 
and Ralph Waldby. 



May 9 Resolutions: 

Resolved that the Safety of the village re- 
quires that immediate Measures be taken to pro- 
cure a good fire engine * * * 

Resolved that this board hold a regular meet- 
ing on Monday evening of each week at seven 
o'clock * * * 



May 10 No guns, crackers, or other fire-works to be fired "within the 

populous part of the village of Syracuse, except by persons under 
arms on public days by permission of their officers." Fine, $1. 

No hogs "to run at large in the streets." Any found doing so 
"to be driven to the village Pound, and there detained by the pound- 
keeper, until a penalty of twenty-five cents for each hog" is paid in 
addition to penalty and fees fixed by town law. Pound-keeper may 
sell hog if fine is not paid within three days. 
^ Persons "licensed to keep grocery shops, vitualling houses, oyster 

houses or other shops or houses" and "to retail spiritous liqilors to 
be drank therein" are required to close on Sunday and at 11 P. M. 
on week days. Sunday penalty, $5 ; week-day penalty, $2.50. 



May 12 Resolution : 

Resolved that the Treasurer give Bonds in the 
sum of one thousand dollars * * * 



May 13 Name of Genesee Street given to "Seneca Turnpike" (spelled 

Gennessee). Other streets namd : Salina, described as "running 
north and South across the Stone bridge, Warren, Clinton, Water, 
Washington and Fayette. The street-naming resolution concludes 
as follows: 

The street leading east out of the Public 
Square Foot Street. The next Street north par- 
allel to the Canal Church Street. The Street run- 
ning from the Turnpike to the Canal next west of 
Gififord's house with its continuation South 
Franklin Street. And the Street leading there- 
from to the Mill race north of the Canal thence 
along the same to the Seneca Turnpike Mill 
Street. And the Street west of the Onondaga 
Creek from the Turnpike to the Canal — named 
on the State map of the Village "Apple Street" 
shall be called "West Street." 



May 16 Salary of John Wilkinson as Clerk of the Board of Trustees 

fixed at $25 -a year. 

6 



Resolution : May 24 

Resolved that an advertisement be published 
tor proposals to light and trim the four lamps 
now put up in the village and such others as may 
hereafter be put up by order of this board or a 
vote of the village and that persons applying 
shall state the price that they will charge per 
lamp to be lighted only dark nights. 



Resolution : May 26 

Resolved that Joshua Forman & Moses D. 
Burnett be a committee to ascertain the State 
of the waterworks & report a system of regula- 
tion for the same. 



Heman Walbridge was paid $35.97 for erecting a pound. June 13 



At a meeting of "freeholders and taxible Inhabitants" of the vil- June 25 
lage, held at the house of James Mann, a tax of $125 was unani 
mously authorized, for purchase of a "village pall" and building a 
fence around the burying ground. It was arranged that notice of an 
adjourned meeting be published in The Syracuse Gazette. 



"Meeting of freeholders and inhabitants." Unanimous action July 7 
taken authorizing the village Trustees to accept a loan of $1,000 from 
the Albany Insurance Company, "to be used in the purchase of a 
good and sufficient fire engine with proper implements to extinguish 
fires," the loan to be secured by a four-year bond, bearing no inter- 
est for the first two years and three per cent for the remainder of 
the time. 

Also the raising of $150 was authorized for "building an engine 
house" and "purchasing hooks and necessary ladders." 



"Joshua Forman reported that he had engaged an engine Si, hose for Oct. 11 
the sum of $925 in New York pursuant to the resolution for that 
purpose." 

Resolution : 

Resolved that Thomas B. Heermans be appointed 
captain of a Fire company in this village with 
power to raise thirty five men who shall be ap- 
pointed firemen under the seal of the Corporation. 
The first enlisted of whom shall be the persons 
exempt from military duty, any vacancy among 
whom shall be filled by the persons next in order 
on the list. 



Loan authorized for purchase of fire engine being found impossi- Nq^, 28 
ble on terms specified, payment of seven per cent per annum, for 
four years, was authorized. 



YEAR 1826. 



Jan. 3 Warrants authorized to Thomas B. Heermans as captain and the 

following as firemen : John Dumford, Stephen W. Cadwell, Paschal 
Shurber, Linnaeus P. Noble, Agrippa Martin, Thomas I. Field, 
Thomas Spencer, Edward Chapman, Joel Owen, William C. Shope, 
Henry Van Hoosen, Harman Van Hoosen, Russel Hibbard, Zopher 
Adams, Humphrey Mellen, Samuel Mead, Theodore Ashley, John 
Wall, Volney Cook, Archibald L. Fellows, Seth K. Akin, Henry 
Giflford. 



Jan. 23 The Board of Trustees accepted an offer of John Rogers "to 

build an Engine House to be 16 feet by 22 feet with 8 foot posts, to 
be shingled and sided with good planed siding and to be furnished 
with a good plain box stove and pipe, and to be done within one 
month for the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars." 



June 6 Resolution: 

Resolved that Benjamin F. Janes be paid for 
ringing the Bell three times per day at the rate of 
Fifty Dollars per Annum and at that rate if rung 
four times per day. 



Sept. 13 A petition was presented by Ambrose Kasson and others "for 

the purpose of suppressing Vice & Immorality in this Village." 

Resolutions : 

Resolved that A- Northam & H. Young be a 
committee to provide a house or room to be oc- 
cupied as a Watch house. 

Resolved that a Subscription be circulated for 
the purpose of raising a fund to enable the 
Trustees to organise and keep on foot for One 
Month a Village Watch to consist of not less than 
four persons * * *, 



Dec. 12 One dollar paid to The Syracuse Advertiser for publishing a 

notice of a village meeting. 



YEAR 1827. 

Dec. 3 Meeting held over to later date "inasmuch as the meeting of the 

Inhabitants noticed for this evening cannot be held on account of 
their being a prayer meeting at the School House." 



Dec. 14 Resolutions : 

Resolved that the following named persons 
viz. 

William Malcolm, Hiram Judson, George Ar- 
cher, Othniel Williston, H. Chamberlain, Henry 
Newton, Thomas Bennet, Stephen Smith, George 
Hooker, Alfred Northam, — Cruger & Scuyler 
Strong, 



are hereby appointed a protection Company, 
whose duty it Shall be to protect such goods as 
must necessarily be removed at a fire and to 
direct in the packing & moving the same. 

Resolved that the Trustees shall each Carry 
a Staff at fires (such as shall be designated by a 
majority") as an insignia of Oifice of fire Wardens 
for the purpose of Compelling such as are un- 
willing to render due assistance in all cases of 
fire. 

Resolved that all the Officers of the Corpora- 
tion Engine Company — Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany — Protection Co. Constables — Pound Keeper 
&c. be invited to assemble * * * to make such 
arrangements with regard to the village interests 
as the time and place may suggest 

Resolved that each member of the Protection 
Co. be provided with a good and sufficient Bag 
which he shall carry with him to all fires for the 
purpose the more safely of packing and moving 
goods 



YEAR 1828. 



"All gaming, raflling or playing of Cardes, or dice" in "Grocery Jan. 8 
Shops, or Cellars, including Houses, or other Shops, which are li- 
censed for the retailing of spirituous liquors to be drank therein" 
prohibited. Penalty— $10, to be sued for and recovered pursuant to 
the act incorporating the village. 



John C. Field was allowed $20 "for his Services as Clerk during Apr. 15 
the past year." 

"Crying or ringing of a Bell in the Streets or Elsewhere" for July 29 
auction sales prohibited. 



Harry Newton and A. P. Granger on the North Side and Jno. Dec 22 
Watt and Jos. Slocum on the South Side appointed to examine 
chimne3'S and stovepipes. 



YEAR 1829. 



Bill of John Wall for $4, "for money paid to H. Van Heusen for Mar. 9 
repairing the Church Bell," allowed. 

Also bill of Levi Chapman for $4 "for taking a Census of the 
Village." , 



South Salina Street sidewalks twelve feet wide ; no steps to en- June 10 
croach more than four feet, "but this ordinance is not to extend to 
or be in any wise applied to the Syracuse House." 



Payment of $7.06 to Cadwell &» Thurber ordered "for refresh- July 15 
ments for the Salina Engine Company after the Globe Factory. fire." 



YEAR 1830. 



Mar. 4 Warrant ordered issued appointing Columbus Bradley wood 

spector for the village. 

July 12 Resolutions: 

Resolved that the sum of Ten Dollars be re- 
quired of W. C. Cook for the rent of the office 
under the White Bridge from the 10th. day of 
May 1830 to 10th. day of May 1831. 

Resolved that the Engine house be painted a 
Straw Color. 



Aug. 9 Ordinances provide : "The Village Pound-Master shall not di- 

rectly or indirectly pay to any person or persons any compension or 
premium, for the driving of any Hog or Hogs to the Pound" * * *. 
Also : "Good leather Buckets, to be used for extinguishing fires," 
were required to be procured and kept by owners as follows : "The 
Syracuse House and the two three story Taverns, four Buckets each ; 
every three story Store, and two story Dwelling-house, two Buckets ; 
and every other Store, Shop or Dwelling-house, one Bucket each; 
which Buckets shall be of good quality, and marked with the name 
of the owner suitably painted thereon." 

Also : "No person or persons shall fly a Kite in any Street or 
Public Square." Penalty, $1. 



Dec. 2 Ordinance: 

Be it ordained, that no person or persons shall 
Carry or Convey any fire from one Building to 
another, or in any Street in the Village without a 
Suitable Fire pan with a cover under penalty of 
Five Dollars for Each offence to be Collected ac- 
cording to law. 



Dec. 11 Fifty dollar tax authorized, at "meeting of the Inhabitants of 

the Village" at the Syracuse House, "for paying Costs (so far as 
the same will go) in the suit Village of Syracuse vs. Saml Lamed." 

YEAR 1831. 



^P""- 2 Accounts audited as follows: G. W. Smith, $9.36: Israel Shoudy, 

$3.75; H. Van Heusen. $3; "all for work & repairs to Village Bell." 

S. A. Gould ordered paid $12.50 "for ringing bell One quarter." 

Twenty dollars ordered paid to Village Clerk "for his Services 
the present Year." 

Ordinance adopted prohibiting dogs running at large and provid- 
ing that "it shall and May be lawful for any person or persons to 
Kill any such dog," the ordinance to "remain in full force and effect 
untill the first day of July next." 



Ju»e 1 Resolution: 

10 



Resolved, that Two thousand days Labour be 
assessed upon the Inhabitants * * * to be 
worked out upon the Roads and Streets" * * ♦. 



Meetins: of "Freeholders & Inhabitants" at the Mansion House. Aug. 3 
Village Trustees unanimously "Authorized to make a Contract for a 
Town Clock." A tax of $50 authorized "upon the person & property 
of the Citizens of Syracuse to meet the first instalment therefor." 



Accounts audited as follows : Daniel Elliott, $49.50, "for Lumber Nov. 11 
building Pest Houses &c"; Wm. Coppernoll, $21, "for attending upon 
the Small Pox"; Luther Bentz, $13.75, for same; C. & D. Bradley, 
$3?.51, "for Provisions &c for Small Pox." 



YEAR 1832. 

Meeting of "Freeholders & Inhabitants," at the Mansion House, June 20 
for "taking into Consideration and adopting the best means to be 
pursued with regard to the anticipated Plague that is expected soon 
to be amongst us." 

Trustees "authorized to Station Two suitable persons at (Teals 
Locks so called) * * * to examine every Boat from the East- 
ward" and to have any sick found aboard examined by physicians. 

The physicians of the village were constituted a Board of Health. 



Resolution : 

Resolved, That the Village be divided into four 
Wards and that they be intersected by Salina 
Street, and the Erie Canal 

That the North West be Ward No 1. South 
West Ward No 2 South East, Ward No 3, 
North East, Ward No 4. 

Resolved that E. B. Wicks and Silas Ames, for 
Ward No 1 ; Henry Raynor and Theodore Ash- 
ley for No 2 W. H. Alexander and Daniel Corn- 
stock for No 3; Paschal Thurber and Benjamin 
C. Lathrop for No 4 be a Committee of Inspec- 
tion, to Carry into effect the Village Ordinances; 
that they Cause a Suitable quantity of Lime to be 
Kept in each ward, at all times, and that they 
present their bills to the Trustees for any neces- 
sary expenditure, within their respective wards. 
The committee will recommend a liberal use of 
Lime, where they may deem it necessary. 



June 23 



Trustee meeting at 9 A. M. Regulations adopted "in pursuance June 25 
of Authority to us given by proclamation of the Governor" to pre- 
vent the introduction of "the Cholera a disease commonly Called 
the Asiatic Cholerea," which "exists in Quebec and Montreal in 
Canada." Canal boats to be quarantined one mile from village for 
fifteen days, if carrying sick or suspiects, "or until Doct George 
11 



Hooker, a Physician hereby appointed for that purpose, or any 
Other resident Physician of said Village. Shall Certify that no such 
Cholera patient is on board, and that such patient has been properly 
disposed of." 

To detain and examine suspects and aid the physician appointed, 
the following were named : Amos P. Granger, H. W. Van Buren, 
Oliver Teal, Stephen W. Cadwell, Henry Newton, Daniel Dana and 
Samuel Copp. 

Ordered : 

That the Health Officer, in Case of any Chol- 
era or other malignant disease, be directed to re- 
port to the President of the Village, every Morn- 
ing at 9 O'clock the State of the health of the vil- 
lage. 

"Doct. Jonathan Day" deputed to go to Canada to study cholera. 
Application to Governor Enos T. Throop, that he "appoint and com- 
mission" the Syracuse physician to make the trip, made by "the 
Board of Health regularly Organized in and for the Village of Syra- 
cuse" and signed by George Hooker as President of the Board of 
Health and Hiram Putnam as President of the Board of Trustees. 



July 3 Resolution: 

Resolved that Philo N Rust be and is hereby 
appointed weighmaster for said village the current 
year in the room of Samuel Jacobs Resigned 



July 23 Account of Samuel A. Gould, of $5.15, allowed, "for repairing 

Hearse House and taking care of Town Clock at One Dollar per 
Month." 

"The Board of Health heretofore formed having resigned," the 
following were named as a new board : John Wilkinson, M. D. 
Burnett, V. Cook, Daniel Dana, Joel Owen and H. Putnam. 

Aug. 17 Resolution : 

Resolved that Two ladders be procured for the 
use of the Village 



Aug. 20 Account of Daniel Elliott, $22.71, "for Materials & Labor in put- 

ting up Town Clock," allowed. 

The following were "appointed Firemen to be attached to Engine 
No 2": Parley Bassett, William S. Campbell, Alfred Daumas, 
Henry Davis, Jr., Thos. B. Fitch, William M. Fitch, Esra Foster, 
Jr., I. A. Hall, L. P. Hall, Solomon R. Howlett, A. A. Hudson, Benj. 
C. Lathrop, Chas. L. Lynds, J as. Manning, Horace Pemberton, Jacob 
Raynor, Willett Raynor, Chas. T. Stanton, Joseph H. Starin, R. H. 
Yoe. William K. Lothrop and Gardner Lawrence. 



Sept. 14 Meeting of "Freeholders and inhabitants." Tax of $250 ordered 

"upon the persons & property nf the Citizens," "for improving the 



12 



road through the Swamp leading to Onondaga Hollow, on the east 
side of the Onondaga Creek." 

Also it was resolved "that the Village build two Engine Houses," 
a tax of $300 to defray the cost. The houses were to be 28 by 16 
feet in size, with 10-foot posts. 



Location of new engine houses "fixed at the west end of the pub- Sept. 26 
lie Square in the Center of said Village, One on Each side of the 
Canal immediately contiguous to the bridges." 

This action, taken at a "meeting of the Citizens," is recorded as 
"Carried in the affirmative 12 to 6." 



YEAR 1833. 



Resolution: Mar. 28 

Resolved That Mess W. & H. Raynor be au- 
thorised to repair the Engine House on the South 
Side of the Canal, by making the underpinning 
more secure 



Resolution : 

Resolved that the account of C. L. Elliott for Apr. 17 

Three Dollars for drawing map of the Center of 
the Village be allowed * * *. 



H. A. Deming as Clerk gives notice by printed sheet that Elam Apr. 22 
Lynds and Harvey Baldwin are appointed as Chief Engineer and ^l"**'*' 
Assistant Engineer respectively of the Fire Department, concluding: 
"Said Engineers are required to wear a conspicuous badge, that they 
may be recognized and obeyed at Fires." 

The following were made Fire Wardens : Joseph I. Bradley, Da- 
vid Stafford, Jr., Daniel Elliott, John White and Amos P. Granger. 
Their duty was specified as, "at times of fire, to command the citi- 
zens to form lines, and compel them so to do, under the existing 
ordinance,, making it a penalty of Five Dollars for any refusal to 
assist at a fire : Also, to examine chimneys, stove pipes, &c. and see 
that every house is supplied with a sufficient number of buckets, and 
to do all things that Fire Wardens are required to do." 



"At the Annual Meeting of the electors of the Village of Syra- May 7 
cuse held at the School House," among taxes voted were : $100, "to 
pay the two Instalments due for the town Clock" ; "a Sum of Money 
not exceeding" $25, "to pay for the Hose Cart attached to Engine 
No 2 in this village"; $125, "for the purpose of furnishing the Hook 
& Ladder Company with all the Implements necessary for said Com- 
pany." 

The Path Master was allowed one dollar and 12J/2 cents per day 
for his services, and he was required to give bonds "for the faithful 
performance of his duties." 



David S. Colvin, having refused to take the office of Assessor, to June 3 
which he had been elected by the Trustees, paid a fine of $10 for 

13 



non-acceptance of the position, and Joel Owen was named in his 
place. 

Aug. 3 "Proposal of Mr. Phelps" accepted, "to build Two Brideges at 

$1025 — located one on Franklin St. and one on Lock St." 

Amount of fine for refusing to accept office at the hands of the 
Board of Trustees was increased to $20 on the occasion of the ap- 
pointment of Thomas Bennett as Assessor in place of Josiah Wright, 
who refused to serve. 

After increasing the bounty "for driveing Swine to the pound" 
the Trustees appointed Vivas W. Smith "Hog Reeve in and for the 
Village of Syracuse for the current year." 



Aug. 27 The trouble in getting appointees to serve as Assessor continued. 

Thomas Bennett declined, and William H. Alexander was named. 

The board then remitted the $10 fine that had been paid by David 
S. Colvin for refusing to take the office. 

Two dollars was ordered paid for "legal Servises". Nicholas P. 
Randell was the lawyer to whom the fee was paid. 



YEAR 1834. 



Jan. 27 Andrew N. Van Patten permitted to build a packet boat office "at 

South East Corner of the New Bridge on the public Square," paying 
to the village $20 a year for the privilege. 



Feb. 10 "At a meeting of the Freeholders & Taxable Inhabitants 

held at the Presbyterian Meeting House" it was 

Resolved that M. D. Burnett John Wilkinson & 
B. D. Noxon together with Stepen Smith H. 
Putnam E. W. Leavenworth L. H. Redfield H. 
Baldwin and Henry Davis Junr. be a committee 
to revise the present charter & to print 100 Copies 
of the proposed Amendments thereto. 



May 26 Ordinances (in part) published, for the Board of Trustees, over 

the signature of B. Davis Noxon, President, and J. C. Hanchett, 
Clerk: 

Be it Ordained, by the Trustees aforesaid, 
that wherein they, or any of them, shall direct 
and notify the occupant of any building, that an 
alteration is necessary in his chimney or stovepipe, 
or in any part of the building connected with, or 
adjoining to the fire in the same, that it shall be 
the duty of the said occupant to make the altera- 
tion within three days thereafter * * * 

The Meat Markets shall be closed on Sundays, 
from nine o'clock in the morning, to seven o'clock 
in the evening * * * 

And be it further Ordained, That the sextons, 
who shall be severally appointed by the Episcopal 
14 



and Presbyterian Societies, shall have the charge 
of the Village Burying Ground, and shall at all 
times, when severally required so to do, dig all the 
necessary Graves and attend the Burial ; and the 
Sexton, who shall be so required, shall receive, 
for digging the Grave and attending the Burial of 
every Adult, one dollar and fifty cents, and for 
every child, under the age of ten years, one dollar, 
to be paid by the applicant * * * 

And be it further Ordained, That no person 
shall suffer his, her, or their sheep, swine, cows, 
or other cattle to be in the burying ground * * * 
In order to secure his penalties on impounded and unredeemed 
swine the pound-keeper was, under these ordinances, to sell the ani- 
mals at public auction, advertised by him "by posting up a written 
notice in a conspicuous place at the Syracuse-House, the Mansion 
House, and also at the pound," and turn back to the owner all pro- 
ceeds in excess of the penalty. 

The ordinances regulated the number of fire buckets required on 
any premises as follows: "Every dwelling house, store or shop, 
having one smoke, shall have one fire bucket, and for every addi- 
.tional two smokes, they shall have an additional fire bucket." 

A twenty-dollar fine stood in the way of selling "wines, or any 
spiritous liquors, either by wholesale or retail, in any street, square, 
basin, canal or other public highway"; "but this prohibition," con- 
tinue the ordinances, "is not intended to prevent the retailing of 
liquors from the bars of packet-boats on the canal and to be drank 
therein." 



"The special business of the meeting having been finished," says June 
the record of a board meeting, "The Trustees took up the account of 
Daniel Thompson amounting to five dollars, for winding Town 
Clock, cleaning Meeting House. & mending Church yard fence, ex- 
amined, audited and drew order on Treasurer for Same." 



That the village, like the city into which it grew, had its troubles July 24 
with encroachments on streets is indicated by an extract from a vil- 
lage ordinance providing that : 

"All Fences or Steps, now obtruding upon the public highway, on 
the south side of Water Street, shall be moved or set back on a line 
with the fence in front of the block of brick dwellings owned by W. 
& H. Raynor * * *^ that the fence in front of the house and lot 
now occupied by H. W. Starin, in Clinton Street, shall be moved or 
set back to the line of said street * * *," and more of the same. 

A sidewalk ordinance has street references as follows : "Wash- 
ington street, from the mill-pond to Genesee street ; Clinton street, 
from Water street to the brow of the hill south of Willit Raynor's 
dwelling house; Fayette street, from, the mill-pond to Mulberry 
street," also "Genesee street, from the Red Mill to Mulberry street." 

15 



YEAR 1835. 



Apr. 6 Monday morning meeting of Trustees for action on mad dog 

scare of previous day; animal liad been killed after biting several 
others. It was declared lawful for anyone to kill any dog at large, 
between April 7 and May 7. 

June 22 Account of Hoyt & Phelps, "for mending Hearse to the amount 

of $1.50," audited. 

Y EAR 18 36. 
July 7 "At a meeting of resident freeholders" at the Mansion House, 

Moved & Seconded that a committee of three 
be appointed to measure the fence around the 
burying ground estimate the expense of building 
the same & that they report to this meeting im- 
mediately 

Moved & Seconded that Messrs Peck, Kirk 
& George be such committee — 

The said committee respectfully report that 
they have examined the said fence & have esti- 
mated the cost at $83.88 * * * 

On Motion Resolved that the sum of $83.88 be 
raised for the purpose * * * 



Apr. 17 



Aug. 25 "At a meeting of the resident freeholders * * * & owners 'of 

real estate held under contract" at the Syracuse House a tax of $300 
was voted for "digging a well on the square formed by Genessee 
Water & Warren Streets & covering the same with cut stone & en- 
closing the same with an iron railing & for the purchase of a 
pump." 

Oct. 18 Payment of $45 ordered to Jonathan Courtney "for digging ston- 

ing & cleaning well in Hanover Square." 



Nov. 7 Payment of $5 ordered "in favor of John Hand & Parker," "for 

burying Hathaway out of the contingent fund." 

Bill of Thos. Spencer for $138.12 audited "for removing the en- 
gine houses." 

YEAR 1837. 
Feb. 14 Reward of $1,000 "offered for the apprehension and conviction of 

the person who set fire to the store of Barker & Gilmore." 



Resolution : 

Resolved that the proportion of the penalty to 
be paid to the Trustees of the village in impound- 
ing the hogs belonging to Widow Gushing be & 
the same is hereby remitted 



Anr 24 Annual election called, to be held "at the Village School House in 

*• Church Street." 

16 



Time for regular meetings of the Board of Trustees fixed at May 4 
'Saturday Morning of Each Week at 8 OClock." 



"Market, for the purchase and sale of produce generally," estab- May 23 
lished, bounded as follows : "North by the north line of Clinton 
square and of Foot St., East by the east line of Warren st.. South by 
the south line of Genesee st. and Clinton square, and West by the 
west line of said square." 



"Permission Was given to Purdy Welch McComber & Co to ex- May 30 
hibit their 'Menergerie of Animals &C' in this Village." 



"Permission Was granted to Mr Whipple to exhibit 'Ross Self June 10 
Moving Machine' or Perpetual Motion'." 



Trustees now meeting at "Trustees Room," or "Corporation June 12 
Room." John G. Forbes appointed attorney to the board. 



Resolution : July I 

The Syracuse and Utica Rail Road Company 
having located the line of their Rail Road 
through Washington or Second South Street for 
the Whole length of the Same and Now present 
through John Wilkinson their Attorney an appli- 
cation to the Trustees of this Village asking them 
to approve Such a grade of Said Street as shall 
be conformable to the Grade of the other Streets 
of the Village and assenting to the use of the 
Street for said Rail Road Company it is there- 
fore on Motion of Wm Jackson 

"Resolved" that the Syracuse & Utica Rail 
Road Company be authorised to Grade Washing- 
ton or Second South Street Conformably to the 
Grade of Lock, Genessee and Salina Streets as 
they may be fixed upon by the Trustees to be 
ascertained by the Survey of Mr Lee now making 
— and that the Said Rail Road Company may lay 
down their Rails in Said Street and use the same 
as the line of their Said Rail Road but they shall 
not Exclude the public use of Said Street the 
Same remaining a public Street of Said Village 
With the permission hereby granted to Said Rail 
Road Company — they keeping the Streets Except 
the Side Walks in proper repair — Also 

Resolved That the Clerk make a transcrip of 
these Resolutions and deliver the Same to the 
Said Company — 



Bill of George Geddes for $5 audited "for measuring Embank- July 8 

ment on East Side Mill Pond." 

17 



July 20 A notice of a village meeting ordered published in The Syracuse 

Whig. 

July 27 A Night Watch ordered established, to be organized by a commit- 

tee consisting of M. S. Marsh, G. W. Parsons and C. L. Lynds. 



Aug. 19 Resolution : (Three of the five members being present, Trustees 

Phillips, Huff and Dickinson) 

Resolved that a fine of Twenty five Cents 
shall be imposed upon each & every member of 
the Board who Shall not be present at Every 
meeting of the Board Within ten minutes of the 
time appointed for Said meeting — for the Contin- 
gent Expences of the Board 



Sept. 2 Resolution: 

Whereas Hiram Putnam Was on the 2d day 
of May last Elected an Assessor for the Village 
of Syracuse and neglected to qualify Within ten 
days of Said election and Was appointed by the 
Trustees an Assessor on the 20th day of May 
last and neglected to qualify as Such Assessor 
Within ten days from Said appointement and 

Whereas Lewis H Redfield Was on the 20th 
day of June last appointed an Assessor to fill the 
vacancy occasioned by the resignation of David 
Stafford Jr and neglected to qualify Within ten 
days of Said Appointment 

Therefore Resolved that Hiram Putnam and 
Lewis H Redfield be reappointed assessors for 
the Village of Syracuse — 



Sept. 25 J. I. Bigelow allowed fifteen cents per yard "for the Filling of 

Genessee Street from the East side Warren Street to the West line 
of Lock Street." 



Nov. 29 Account of P. N. Rust of $10.26 audited "for Refreshments fur- 

nished Village Watch." 



YEAR 1838. 



Apr. 27 Levi L. Chapman allowed $50 for services as Village Clerk. 



May 1 "At the Annual Election for Village Officers held at the District 

School House in Church Street" about 600 votes were cast. 



May 7 EHas W. Leavenworth elected President by the Trustees. Sam- 

uel Lamed made a committee to examine streets and order necessary 
work thereon. 

"The following persons were recommended to the board of Ex- 

18 



cise as proper persons to receive Licenses as Tavern Keepers in the 

Village of Syracuse. 

"Philo N. Rust Syracuse House 

"Daniel Comstock Mansion House 

"William B. Kirk Kirks Tavern 

"Thos. S. Keeler Keelers Tavern 

"William Downs Oldline House 

"Nicholas Cook Centre House 

"John Smith Onondaga House 

"William A. Robinson Eagle Tavern 

"George Bramsby Lock St House 

"Benoni F. Partridge & Union House 

"John Teckney Railroad House" 



Resolution: July 2 

Resolved that the President of this board is 
requested to employ Six men as a Village Watch 
for the term of One Week at a Compensation of 
One Dollar each pr. night * * * 



Resolution: Sept. 3 

Petition presented from Levi Lev^^is agent of 
the Auburn & Syracuse Rail Road Company, 
praying in behalf of said Company, liberty to 
construct a depot in Washington St. Whereupon 

Resolved that the Auburn and Syracuse Rail 
Road Company have liberty to Erect a Car House 
on Washington Street, between Messrs. Wilkin- 
son & Malcolm's fots, to be 18 feet wide, provided 
they shall fix the street on either side, So as that 
teams may pass by the same; and also that it 
shall be removed within One year. 



"Oct. 24, 1838, at a public sale according to advertisement Wm Oct. 24 
Jackson Auctioneer Sold The lot on Which stands the Episcopal 
Church described in advertisement as follows viz: 'For paving, 
grading, flagging and curb stone, on Genesee St. and flagging on 
Warren St. in front of block known as the Episcopal Church Block 
—assessed to the Episcopal Church: Tax & interest $422.67 

Advertising & int 21.92 

$444.59 

Sold to Thomas B. Fitch for Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Years 
for the above amount—" 



Village Public Meeting, E. W. Leavenworth presiding. Dec. 26 

Trustees directed to request the School Commissioners of the 
town of Salina "to divide this school district into four districts." 

Trustees authorized to borrow $15,000 "for the purpose of Erect- 
ing a Market and town House." 

Trustees "authorized to apply to the Legislature for a City Char- 
ter." 

19 



The following were named "to draft a City Charter and report at 
a future meeting" : "Mess. Wilkinson, Redfield, Teal, Forbes, Put- 
nam & Leavenworth." 

"On motion of Capt. Hiram Putnam it was unanimously Re- 
solved, that the Syracuse and Utica Rail Road Company be and 
hereby are permitted to Erect their passenger Depot building in 
Washington Street, between Salina and Warren Streets about 49 ft. 
wide and to continue the same during the existence of the Corpora- 
tion," subject to certain conditions. One was that the thoroughfare 
be widened and paved at the expense of the company. Another was 
"that the said Company shall within one year from this time, set out 
a row of suitable and proper shade trees, on each side of said Rail 
Road from the west line of said Road to the Bridge over the Rail 
Road in Beach Street in Lodi— not over two rods a part" and re- 
place them in case of "death or distruction." A third provision re- 
lated to extension of a stone drain from Salina Street east, "not ex- 
tending farther than a point this side of Academy Hill where the 
Yellow Brook Crosses the Rail Road tract, and of the same dimen- 
tions with the part already made." 



Dec. 31 "All sliding, on sleds, boards or otherwise" on bridges or bridge 

embankments prohibited. 

YEAR 1839. 



y^pr. 1 Forman Square declared a public square. 

Apr. 15 Street signs ordered and President directed to designate streets 

where they should be placed. 

June 24 Street Commissioner "directed to remove the negro Shantee on 

^- Sixth South Street." 

In general ordinances re-enacted, published over the signatures of 
E. W. Leavenworth, President, and S. D. Day, Clerk, the Village 
Clerk appears to have held a second position, for the ordinances pro- 
vide "that Samuel D. Day be measurer of wood for this village, and 
every person offering for sale any fire wood in said village, shall, in 
case the seller and buyer cannot agree in the measurement thereof, 
procure the same to be measured by a measurer appointed by the 
Trustees, under a penalty of ten dollars for each and every refusal 
so to do, to be collected of each one offendinf. The measurer may 
be required to give a certificate of the quantity measured. The 
measurer's fee shall be three cents for each cord measured by him, 
and the same sum for a less quantity ; one half to be paid by the 
purchaser and one half by the seller." 

Railroad problems appear in one of the concluding ordinances, 
which provides "that any person who shall leave a Rail-Road car of 
any kind in Washington street, ea^t of the creek, to remain over six 
hours, shall incur a penalty of ten dollars ; and after this penalty is 

20 



incurred, such car may be removed from said street under the direc- 
tion of the Trustees or any one of them, and sold at public auction 
to pay the expense of removal." 



Samuel D. Day appears to have had other public activities, for July 8 
Lyman Walker was appointed Assessor in place of Mr. Day, "who 
was disqualified from acting not being a freeholder." 

YEAR 1840. 
Ordered that D. H. Orcutt be required "to move the Salt Kettles June 15 
& other property belonging to him to the north side of Hickory 
Street." (One of the few references in the record to the industry 
which for years made Syracuse the Salt Citj'.) 



Resolution: Sept. 14 

Resolved: That a watch be appointed for 
three nights & that Messrs Baldwin & Thurber be 
a committee to employ twelve men as such watch. 



Resolution: Dec. 14 

Resolved That none of the bells of the village 
churches shall be rung or tolled on occasion of 
deaths or burials under the penalty of ten dollars 
unless in case of services performed in the 
Church 



YEAR 1841. 



Resolution: Jan. 13 

Resolved : That it is not expedient to apply for 
a city charter at the present cession of the legis- 
lature — 
Thos. T. Davis, John Wilkinson and David S. Colvin were named 
as a committee to act with the Trustees "to prepare & report to a 
future meeting Such amendments to the Charter as Shall give to the 
village a more vigerous police." 

Bank of Syracuse mentioned. Jan. 25 



Resolution: May 10 

Whereas the President of the United States 
has recommended Friday the 14th day of May in- 
stant to be observed by the people of the Union as 
a day of fasting and prayer in consequence of the 
death of the late President IVilliam Henry Harri- 
son; and whereas, under such national bereave- 
ment, we deem it highly proper to unite with our 
fellow citizens in observing that day according to 
the aforesaid recommendation — Resolved there- 
fore that we respectfully suggest and recommend 
to the citizens of this village to abstain, on that 
day, from their ordinary occupations, and that the 
places of business during the day be closed 

21 



May 11 Adjourned session of board held "in the fourth Story of the 

new Banking House." 



May 18 At a meeting of the taxable inhabitants the levy of a tax of $800 

was authorized, for payment of "one third of the costs of building a 
good covered stone culvert in Sixth South Street and Onondaga 
Street from Yellow Brook to the Onondaga Creek" ; it was resolved 
"that the Syracuse & Utica Rail Road Company be & they are hereby 
requested to pay another third part" and "that John Townsend Esq. 
and others composing the Syracuse Company, be requested to pay 
another third part." 



May 24 Application by "Mr. Mesmer" made "for the office of Scavenger 

for the village." 

"Selling powder after sun set, or by Candle or other artificial 
light," prohibited. 



May 27 Resolution adopted providing "that a deed be executed to Oliver 

Teall, pursuant to an act of the Legislature of the State of New 
York, entitled — 'An act to supply the village of Syracuse with whole- 
some water' passed March 27, 1821," and amendments thereof. 

"John M. Weeting * * * appointed Village Surveyor, at a 
compensation of three dollars per day for the time he is actually 
employed." 

Napoleon B. Reiley "appointed Village Scavenger at a compensa- 
tion of $200 per Annum." 



June 4 The taxpayers in session voted a tax of $200 for improvement of 

a new village cemetery, the purchase of about twenty-two acres of 
John H. Johnson having been previously authorized, and a tax of 
$100 "for the purchase of a new hearse." 



June 7 President of Board of Trustees directed to execute "deed of con- 

veyance of certain water in the village of Syracuse to Oliver Teall." 



June 14 Application "made by the Agent of 'The Packet and Steamboat 

Co. of Oswego & Syracuse' for the privilege of erecting a Sign and 
bell on the dock in front of Marsh, Wheaton & Go's Store" granted, 
for the bell only, "the bell to be erected under the direction of the 
President of the Board of Trustees." 

Bond of N. B. Reiley approved. (He had not long before been 
made Village Scavenger.) 



June 19 Published ordinances provide, in part : "That it shall not be law- 

ful for any person to light a fire in any of the streets or lots in the 
village after twelve o'clock at noon" ; "that any person who shall 
disobey the trustees present at any fire" shall be fined $10; "that it 
shall i)Ot be lawful for any person to suffer his, her or their cows, or 
other cattle, to run at large in the streets from the fifteenth day of 
December, to the 15th day of March in each year." 

22 



While the "parking of cars" had not then become a civic problem, 
a $10 fine awaited the person who left a "wagon, carriage, cart, stage 
coach" or other vehicle "in any lane, street or square" over night. 

It was unlawful to sell fruit or other wares on any bridge or em- 
hankment thereof. 

Wood allowed to be sold from wagons in Clinton Square, on each 
side of the canal, "between the travelled part of the roads and said 
canal." 

"No person" permitted to "turn or suffer to be turned into Fay- 
ette Park, any horse or cow or other animal capable of doing injury 
to the trees, grass or shrubbery therein." 



"Both the village papers" referred to. June 22 

No fireworks "on the approaching anniversary of our National .June 28 
Independence" allowed except "on Prospect Hill." 



Proposals accepted, "to improve Water Street from Lock Street June 29 
to the Stone Mill in Lodi." 



"A Meeting of the Taxable inhabitants * * * was held in the July 19 
public room over the Bank on Salina Street." One purpose specified 
in the call was "to take into consideration the propriety of laying a 
String of logs from the Locks, near Almond Street, through Almond 
and Fayette Streets, to Supply the village with water in cases of 
fire." Adjourned without action. 



"The Board did not meet according to adjournment in conse- Aug. 23 
quence of the late calamity occasioned by the explosion of 25 kegs of 
gunpowder, which killed 25 persons, and wounded many more"— 



In special session the Trustees issued the following call for a Aug. 26 
public meeting : 

Whereas the Trustees of this village have been 
informed, and believe, that there is now in our 
midst, a large number of gamblers and evil dis- 
posed persons, ready for the commission of dep- 
redations and crime ; and whereas our fellow citi- 
zens have desired some public and vigerous action 
to drive such persons from among us. or to bring 
them to punishment, the Said Trustees do there- 
fore give notice that a public meeting of the citi- 
zens of the village v;ill be held at the Syr; cuse 
Mansion House, to :ake into consideration such 
measures as may be proposed to accomplish the 
objects aforesaid. On Saturday the 28th day of 
August inst. at 3 oclock P. M. 

The said meeting will also take into consid- 

23 



eration measures for the entire and absolute sup- 
pression of the horse races designed to be held in 
September next, as the Said races are in violation 
of law. and tend to the injury of public morals, 
and the endangering the property of our citizens. 
Syracuse Augt. 26. 1841 

By order of the Board 
W. M. Clarke, Clerk Hiram Putnam President 

Resolution : 

Resolved That an efficient watch be estab- 
lished in this village, to be continued till after the 
races which are designed to be held in Sept. next. 



Aug. 28 Meeting of inhabitants, "Hiram Putnam in the chair." 

After reading of the notice for the meeting, adjournment was 
taken "to meet forthwith in the Presbyterian Church." 

"The laws relating to gambling. Horse racing, vagrants & disor- 
derly persons, were, on Motion, read" 

The following committee was named "to report to the meeting 
resolutions upon the subjects contemplated in the public notice: viz 
H. Rhoades. Z. T. Newcomb. H. Sheldon. O. Teall. P. Dickinson. L 
F. Sabine. Lewis H. Redfield." 

The Trustees were "requested to appoint three additional consta- 
bles to hold their Office until the Middle of October next." 

"The Committee on resolutions, reported the following which 
were accepted and adopted" : 

Resolved. That the municipal authorities of the 
town and county of Onondaga, of the town of 
Salina. and also of the village of Syracuse, owe it 
to themselves and the Community over which 
their jurisdiction extends, to take fearless and 
prompt measures for the prevention of horse 
races and that we hereby pledge ourselves that we 
will do every thing in our power to sustain and 
aid the authorities in the faithful discharge of 
their duty for Such purpose. 

Resolved that all officers concerned in the ad- 
ministration of justice in the County of Onondaga 
and the town of Salina, and also in the village of 
Syracuse, shall be requested and instructed to at- 
tend at the place where the Coming races are 
advertised to be held, and there give notice of the 
illegality thereof, and endeavor to prevent Such 
races, by dispersing the people Collected for the 
purpose of attending the same ; and that they shall 
issue warrants for the immediate apprehension of 
all persons offending against the provision of the 
act for preventing the racing of Animals. 

24 



Resolved. That the Overseers of the Poor of 
the town of Onondaga be requested and in- 
structed to attend at the time and place where the 
Coming races are advertised to be held, in Said 
town, and there commence Suits against the own- 
ers, in whole or in part, of any animal that shall 
be used or employed by his permission or privity, 
in racing Contrary to law, and also against every 
person concerned in laying bet or wager upon the 
event of Such racing or in contributing to the 
Stakes to be awarded, upon any Such event. 

Resolved That the law relating to horse-racing, 
be published in handbills, together with the reso- 
lution of the Trustees of the village of Syracuse, 
declaring their intention to put the law vigerously 
in force in every violation of such law, which 
shall come to their Knowledge 

Resolved, That we will also unite our best ef- 
forts with those of the Civil Magistrates, not only 
in bringing to punishment and driving out from 
among us numerous black-legs, gamblers, and in- 
cendiaries by whom we are Said to be infested, 
but also in uprooting the infamous dens and re- 
sorts in our town, in which they are made, Sus- 
tained and concealed, whether existing under the 
names of Groceries, Billiard-rooms, Ball-alleys or 
Brothels. 

Resolved. That the late terrible calamity which 
has befallen us. and which has taken from our 
midst, in an instant so large a number of our 
friends and fellow citizens, admonishes us, by the 
respect we bear to the memory of our murdered 
neighbors, and by all the obligations we owe to 
our families and to each other, as members of 
the Same Social Community to see that this work 
of purgation is now begun and carried to the end 
fearlessly and effectually, without regard to any 
other consideration, than the full and complete 
extirpation of Such nuisances. 

Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be 
signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Shall be 
served personally on all the Judges of the Court 
of Common Pleas of Said County and Justices of 
the peace, residing in either of the towns of Onon- 
daga or Salina. 

On motion of R. Hebbard, it was 

Resolved, That a committee of fifty or more 
be appointed, to be denominated a Committee of 
Vigilance, whose duty it Shall be to hold them- 
selves ready on all occasions, to assist the legal 

25 



authorities in the execution of the Statutes for 
the suppression of vice, and that this meeting 
pledge themselves to sustain the Said Committee. 

"The Object of the last resolution was carried into effect by more 
than 200 of the most respectable citizens volunteering as members of 
Said Committee." Then : 

Resolved. That the proceedings of this meet- 
ing be signed by the Chairman and Secretary and 
published in the papers of this village, and in the 
Albany Argus and Evening Journal. 



Sept. 3 Resolution: 

Whenever in the Course of human events . it 
becomes necessary to impose heavy and burden- 
some taxes upoti the people it is not only their 
right but their duty to ascertain as near as may 
be, the causes which call for such heavy burdens, 
in order that they may avert the Same as far as 
possible. Therefore 

Resolved That a Committee of Seven be raised 
to ascertain Such Causes and report the Same to 
this meeting 
The following were chosen : James Noxon, Oliver Teall, Elihu 
S. Phillips, James Hough, Volney Cook, Hiram Putnam and William 
Barker. 

The following report of another committee was then received 
and adopted : 

1st Your Committee are informed and be- 
lieve and have no doubt of the fact that there are 
about seventy five Establishments within the 
Corporate limits of the village of Syracuse in the 
trafic of intoxicating drinks which instance of it- 
self would call for extraordinary measures for 
the protection of the lives and property of the 
good people of Syracuse ' 

2d The Contemplated Horse races, advertised 
to take place at the end of this month, calls es- 
pecially at this time for great exertions on the 
part of the public Authorities. And the prompt 
aid of the citizens to prevent 

3d The Many gaming houses in this village 
have also a Strong tendency to disturb and mo- 
lest the good people of this village 

4th The increase of Crime and the thousand 
loose Characters that flock about this Centre of 
one of the richest Counties in the State render it 
highly expedient for our own personal security 
to carry out the measures proposed. 

5th The Many fires that have burnt the prop- 
erty of the Citizens of Syracuse and which have 

26 



been clearly the work of incendiaries, are mo- 
tives that Strongly induce us to recommend the 
establishment of a Night Watch. 
An expenditure of $600 was authorized by the Trustees "to de- 
fray the expense of a Night Watch." 



Henry Gifford, William A. Cook and Russel Hebbard appointed Sept. 6 
as village constables. 



Nathan W. Rose, Joseph Flick, Joseph Mesmer, James Burrell, Sept. 7 
Charles A. Huntoon and Thomas Griffith were "appointed Watch- 
men of this village at a compensation of one dollar per night." 

Nathan W. Rose was "appointed Captain of Said watch with an 
additional compensation of fifty cents .per night." 



Resolution: ' Oct- 12 

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Trus- 
tees of the several Churches in this village having 
bells, to prevent the ringing of the Same, on occa- 
sion of any services during the week, and also 
that on Sunday the Said bells Should not be rung 
more than four minutes, for each Service, be- 
lieving that for ordinary services the tolling of 
the bells will answer all useful purposes. 



At "a meeting of the taxable inhabitants * ' * at the City Dec 
Hotel," "on Motion of Oliver Teall, it was Resolved. That the 
Night Watch be discontinued." 



YEAR 1842. 



A petition received and laid on the table "for an appropriation Feb. 28 
for the purchase of muskets to arm a Military Company." 



Salary of W. M. Clarke as Clerk made $100. Apr. 29 



"On motion, The following preamble and resolution was unani- May 9 
lously adopted" : 

Whereas, this board agree in opinion with the 
Hon John C. Spencer, the Hon John Savage & 
Chancellor Kent, that any person may without li- 
cence establish and Keep a "Temperance House" 
for the entertainment of the travelling public. 
And whereas, in the opinion of this board, the 
common use of intoxicating liquors is destruc- 
tive of thej best interests of the community and 
especially of those who become the victims of in- 
temperance, and their families. Therefore 

Resolved That this board will not recommend 
any person or persons whatever, to the board of 
Excise of this town as suitable persons to vend 
intoxicating liquors as a beverage. 

■27 



May 23 The Clerk was directed to "procure a Camphine Gas Lamp for 

the use of the Board of Trustees." 

May 30 "Permission was given to erect a liberty pole on the north side of 

Clinton Square." 

Salary of Street Commissioner fixed at $1.50 per day. 



June 6 Permission granted to Horace Butts to fence in the point of land 

at the southwest side of the junction of Onondaga and Montgomery 
Streets. 



July 4 Ordinance : "No fire balls shall be thrown by any person or per- 

sons." 



Dec. 19 Thirty-one citizens petitioned for a public meeting in regard to 

the sale of intoxicants' stating that "there are about seventy places 
in this village where intoxicating liquors are sold, thereby causing 
three fourths of all the pauperism crime taxation and premature 
deaths in said village." The petitioners were: Wm. Barker, Oliver 
Teall, John Mayo. E. Walter, J. G. Holden. A. Burt, A. W. Stowell, 
Michael Phillips, Henry Agnew, J. K. Barlow, E. J. Foster, John 
Wilkinson, R. B. Williams, Horace Butts, E. H. Sherman, Wing 
Russell, M. V. B. Burt, Hiram Putnam, E. W. Leavenworth, Philo 
D. Mickles, W. M. Clark ,Thomas B. Fitch, William Malcolm, C. T. 
Longstreet, D. P. Phelps, J. L. Bagg, Ham'l White, A. H. Hovey, 
Hervey Rhoades, C. A. Wheaton and Abner Bates. 



Dec. 22 The public meeting petitioned for was held. A formal published 

report, included in the record, signed by Charles A. Baker, Chair- 
man, and Charles A. Wheaton, Secretary, calls it "a numerous and 
crowded meeting, held at the Temperance House, (kept by H. A. 
Chase,)." On motion of Major Cook, resolutions prepared by a 
committee consisting of H. Putnam, Montgomery Merrick, Aaron 
Burt, D. G. Stafford and Jason C. Woodruflf were adopted declaring 
that the "more than seventy places" doing a liquor business in the 
village were "prolific sources of pauperism, crime, litigation, taxa- 
tion, and premature death, and aught not to be sanctioned by law, 
nor suffered to exist in a civilized community." declaring also "that 
the Legislature aught immediately to repeal that part of the excise 
law which authorizes the granting of licences to sell intoxicating 
liquors" and "that it is the duty, not only of temperance men, but of 
all well-wishers to society to encourage, by their patronage, such 
establishments as do not keep or sell intoxicating liquors." 

The President of the village was requested, in the resolutions, to 
transmit copies thereof to the county's members of the Legislature, 
to be presented to the Legislature. 



YEAR 1843. 



May 8 A room belonging to Larned, Granger & White was secured at 

28 



$50 a year for a meeting place for the Board of Trustees. 



Report and resolution : Nov. 27 

Report from W A Cook, Chief Engineer he 
states that he found powder on the Premises of 
John Cushney & W Hinman more than the ordi- 
nance of the Village allows. 

Resolved that the Village Attorney be directed 
to prosecute the Said Hinman & Cushney for Vio- 
lation of said ordinance 



YEAR 1844. 



At a taxpayers' meeting at the Trustees' office, John Wilkinson, Jan. 4 
H. Putnam, O. Teall, M. D. Burnett, I. G. Forbes, Geo. F. Comstock, 
I. G. Tracy, C. A. Baker and W. Raynor were made a committee, to 
report later, on "the Subject of a City Charter." 

"On Motion of O Teall Resolved that James R Lawrence D. D. 
Hillis E W Leavenworth & H T Fellows be Employed by the Village 
to prosecute those engaged in the riot on the Evening of Monday 1st 
January under the direction of the Trustees" 

By resolution the Legislature was urged to enact a local option 
liquor law, outlined in the resolution. 

A resolution "offered by C. A. Wheaton in relation to the recent 
riot & Disturbances" was referred to the committee named to con- 
sider applying for a city charter. 



Adjourned meeting of taxpayers. "The Committee to whom was J*n. 8 
refered the resolution as ofered by C. A. Wheaton at the last meet- 
ing, report as follows" 

Whereas the late disgraceful and vitous out- 
rage which occured in this Village during the last 
week involving not only considerable loss of 
property but severe personal injuries together 
with other ruffianism of a minor character which 
has frequently taken place within the last Two 
Years fully demonstrate as well the existence of 
an apathetic and corrupt public sentiment by 
which such offences are indirectly encouraged by 
the neglect to bring the guilty parties to speedy 
and condign punishment — as also the necessity 
now and at once of a adopting efficient measures 
for the repression of these repeated acts of Vi- 
lonce in future. 

Therefore resolved that as Citizens of the 
Village desirous of and claiming for ourselves the 
protection of the law in behalf of our own per- 
sons and property — we are determined and here 
'by pledge ourselves that we will hereafter by 
every means in our power prosecute and bring to 
Justice every offence of this description com- 
29 



mitted against any persons or class of Citizens 

Resolved that in our Judgment a large portion 
of the excesses which have occured may be at- 
tributed to the light punishment inflicted on of- 
fenders presented for violation of law and by a 
general looseness in the administration of criminal 
Justice 

Resolved that we call upon every Ministerial & 
Judicial officer within our Corporate Limits as 
well as every good Citizen to lend their prompt & 
efficient aid in every case of the violation of public 
order or the criminal infringement of private 
right whenever perpetrated speedily unformily 
and without regard to person or the fear of inju- 
rious consequences to themselves and that we will 
act in concert upon these cases when they arise 
and suffer nothing to remain undone by which 
this object can be effected. 

Resolved that the acts of Violence are the 
legitimate results of the Sale and use of intoxicat- 
ing liquors as a beverage And this meeting ear- 
nestly solicit all persons engaged in Such Sale and 
use, for the sake of Suffering Humanity, and for 
the Honor of our Village (which at this moment 
embraces within its corporate limits about 80 Liq- 
uor Selling Establishments) to abandon the busi- 
ness, and thus contribute very largely to our fu- 
ture preservation from the recorrence of Such 
disgracefull Scenes. 

Resolved that the above resolution be signed 
bv the president & Clerk and published in the pa- 
pers of the Village— 

The committee on city charter recommended "application to the 
Legislature for a City Charter with limited & Restricted powers." 

A "committee to draw a city Charter" is listed as follows : J. 
Wilkinson, M. D. Burnett, L G. Tracy, H. Putnam, L G. Forbes, G. 
F. Comstock, C. A. Baker, W. Raynor, D. Pratt, A. P. Granger, 
Lewis H. Redfield, C .A. Wheaton, W. B. Kirk and Zebulon Ostrom. 



Feb. 5 Resolution: 

Resolved that a Committee to Consist of Chief 
Engineer Asst Engineer and the Foreman of each 
Fire Company to make arrangement for the ring- 
ing of the different Church Bells in such manner 
as they deem most advisable for the Interest of 
the Village & of Fire Department and to procure 
a Key for each Church which has a Bell and 
designate an alarm Bell which shall be rung dur- 
ing the existence of Any Fire. 

30 • 



An ordinance was unanimously adopted making it unlawful to May 27 
"keep or maintain" "any Ball Alley, or apparatus, alley, machine, 
building, or enclosure, constructed or used for the purpose of playing 
thereon or therewith, at the game called or known by the name of 
nine pins or ten pins, for gain, hire, reward or emolument of any 
kind or in any manner whatsoever," and permitting the game "for 
any stake, wager, bet or chance" was subject to a penalty of $10. 

A like restriction was placed on the playing of billiards and pool. 

Fifty dollars appropriated "to repair the Hearse House." June 5 

Seventy-five dollars appropriated "for the purpose of purchasing 
a waggon for the use of the Bucket Company hereafter to be 
formed." 

Pour "resovoirs" ordered, to cost $150 each, to be constructed "in 
different parts of the village at the discretion of the Trustees." 



Citizens advised to deliver their fire buckets to the recently June 17 
formed Bucket Company. 

The Syracuse Cadets were given "permission to Encamp on the July I 
north side of Clinton Square on the 4th of July inst." 

Record made of agreement by which the village took over from 
the Seneca Road Company "that part of the Seneca Turnpike Road 
that now is or may hereafter be included within the limits of the 
Corporation of Syracuse," the village, or succeeding city, to take it 
"under their charge and direction forever" ; the company agreed to 
"establish no gate between Said village of Syracuse and the village 
of Geddes." 

YEAR 1845. 



"On motion of William Barker Resolved that the Village pay two May 26 
hundred & seventy five Dollars for cleaning the streets for one year." 



Resolution : 

Resolved that we pay the Western State Jour- 
nal Si, Onondaga Standard four shillings each, per 
week for publishing the proceedings of the Board 



June 



Resolution : J"«* 30 

Resolved that we pay Henry E. Brewster $10 
when he shall have expended $20 in improving 
Almond Street near his Brewery 
"No runner or Stage Driver or other person" permitted, under 
ordinance of this date, to "solicit passengers travellers or other per- 
sons in any of the public streets, Rail Road Depot or public place or 
any rail road or any wharf or on board of any boat or stage or Rail 
Road car within said Village to travel in any stage or on any Rail 
Road or boat or directly or indirectly to go to any public Inn or 
Tavern." 



31 



July 21 



At a meeting of "the Freeholders & Taxable inhabitants," called 
for "the large Hall, in the 4th story of the Larned and Granger 
Block," for a vote on the proposition of buying land and placing on 
it "a Market and other Public Buildings" action was taken which led 
lo the acquiring of the site of the present City Hall. 

It was voted "that the Trustees be authorized to purchase the Lot 
on the East side of Montgomery Street running from Washington to 
Water Street for a Market Lot provided the owners thereof will 
make the size of the Lot sixty feet East & West with a road or 
alley in the rear from' Washington to Water Street forty feet wide 
provided farther that the Lot can be purchased for five thousand 
Dollars." 

The Trustees were authorized to raise $3,500 with which to build 
a market structure on the north end of the lot. 



Purchase of the above mentioned property from the Syracuse 
Company was voted by the Board of Trustees. There had long been 
advocated the providing of a Village Hall and Public Market. 



Aug. 4 The LaFayette Guards were voted $25 "towards paying the rent 

of their Armory." 

P. N. Rust, Chief Engineer, and Haml White, Assistant Engi- 
neer, made application for an appropriation of $100 for each of the 
companies in the Fire Department ; these were five engine com-, 
panies, one hook and ladder company and one bucket company. 



Aug. 1 1 Declaring that "the selling & giving of intoxicating liquors to the 

Indians in this Village produces an intolerable nuisance & is subver- 
sive of good morals & quietness," the Trustees requested "immediate 
& strict attention" to the matter by "the Indian Agent W. W. Teall 
Esq & the Police otificers of this Village." 

"All challenges for testing or trying fire Engines between the fire 
Companies of this Village or the acceptance" of such challenges 
were "strictly prohibited" unless authorized by the Trustees. 



Sept. 8 No "minor apprentice or Servant" permitted to play in any nine- 

pin or ten-pin alley in the village. Fine $10, payable by keeper of 
the alley. 



Nov. 3 B. R. Norton and others petitioned "for the appropriation of $125 

to the Syracuse Band for the purchase of musical instruments to be 
owned by the Village of Syracuse." 



Nov. 25 At a meeting of freeholders and taxable inhabitants it was, on 

motion of John Wilkinson, 

Resolved That it is not competent either for 
the Trustees to appropriate funds for the pur- 
chase of musical Instruments or for any meeting 
of Inhabitants to raise any sum of money by tax 
lo be appropriated to such object. 
32 



Tn observance of December 4 as Thanksgiving Day the people Dec. I 
were urged by resolution adopted by the Trustees "to abstain from 
all unnecessary labor & recreation." 



Petition was made by Isaac J. Minard as captain of the Syracuse Dec. 15 
Citizens Corps for an appropriation of $25 to that company "towards 
paying the rent of their armory." 



YEAR 1846. 



Resolution : 

Resolved That the Albany & Buffalo Telegraph 
Company be permitted to set their Telegraph 
posts through this Village on each side of the 
Rail Road Alternately provided they set good 
well finished posts painted white. * * * 



Feb. 2 



A petition, previously received, "from the 1st. Baptist Society of 
Syracuse for relief from damages done to their Church Bell while 
used for the Village as a fire Bell was taken up & on motion it was 
resolved That we have no power to grant the prayer of the petition- 



Mar. 16 



Resolution: 

Resolved that the ordinance or Resolution 
giving One Dollar to the person who rings the 
first fire bell on the occurrence of a fire be re- 
pealed 

Proposition presented in resolution form by J. Lathrop, engineer, Apr. 20 
for changes in block numbers and certain street names, Salina 
Street south of the Erie Canal to be Main Street and Genesee Street 
north of the Erie Canal to be Seneca Street. Tabled for one week. 



The resolution referred to above "was amended by striking out Apr. 27 
'Seneca Street' & inserting in its place 'Broad Way' & passed." 



Trustees met. apparently for the first time, "at their Rooms in May II 
the Market Place." 



H. Van Buren, Henry Gifford, J. Huntington "& others," "a com- May 15 
mittee appointed by members of a new Presbyterian church," peti- 
tioned to be allowed to "rent the Market Hall for the purpose of 
public worship." Petition, at a later meeting, "referred to E. W. 
Leavenworth Esq." 

Heman Howlett petitioned "for numbering the houses of the Vil- June 8 
lage in reference to a Village Directory being made." 



Petition 



June 22 



One from Abner Bates. John Stephens & oth- 
33 



ers for $50 remuneration for damage done to the 
2d Presbyterian Church & Lecture Room by can- 
non fired near the church on the eve of the Anti 
War meeting 



Petition received "Of H. T. Fellows & others" "praying that it 
may be inquired into, whether Capt Teall has complied with the law 
requiring him to bring in wholesome water." 

Petition granted "Of Managers of Orphan Assylum to be allowed 
to occupy the ground about the pump on Clinton Sq — for the pur- 
pose of exposing articles for sale on the next fourth." 

Ten dollars allowed Engine Company No. 1 "for trimming En- 
gine on next 4th July." 

Invitation accepted "to join in procession of Sons of Temperance 
on 4th July." 

Description given for 12- foot gravel walk, petitioned for: "On 
the west side of Salina St from the South east corner of the old 
Orphan Assylum to the swamp on a line from said corner to the 
monument near the brewery." 



Petition granted "to have word Syracuse erased from front of 
Market House." 



Petition received "in relation to the slaughter house on Onondaga 
street." 



Petition of "Mr. Huntington, to be allowed to make fire in the 
street for the purpose of setting wagon tire, in front of his shop; de- 
nied. 



Petition granted : "Of Russell Hebbard for use of the Market 
Hall for the purpose of holding the next Agricultural Fair." 



Resolution : 

Resolved that Salina St be opened six rods 
wide south from Adam. St — 



Use of Market Hall granted on petition of Daniel Dana "for the 
sitting of the democratic convention." 



YEAR 1847. 

Meeting of citizens, held at Market Hall, with E. W. Leaven- 
worth as chairman and John F. Wyman as secretary, to consider 
"the expediency of applying to the Legislature for a- City Charter." 

William B. Kirk moved that application be made for the city 
charter, "which shall embrace within its limits the village of Salina." 

The record says: "An animated debate ensued, in which many 
of our oldest inhabitants took a part." 

The proposition was unanimously carried, and various subsidiary 
projects were put over to another meeting. 

34 



Adjourned meeting of citizens. By Thomas McCarthy, who with Jan. 12 
Noah Wood and Ira H. Williams constituted a committee, resolu- 
tions were presented which had been adopted at a meeting of the 
citizens of the village of Salina. These resolutions approved the 
plan of making Salina a part of the proposed city, on the following 
conditions : 

That we compose a Ward, embracing all the 
territory in the village of Salina on the north- 
westerly side of Union Place and Elm street, to 
be set off and denominated the Salina Ward ; 

That the location of the Bank of Salina is to 
remain in this Ward ; 

That the Post Office at Salina be not discon- 
tinued, nor the canal and salt offices removed 
from this Ward. 

By resolution offered by Gen. J. R. Lawrence the proposition to 
apply for a city charter, to include in its scope the two villages, was 
approved. 

H. Baldwin renewed effort made by him at the earlier meeting to 
have the village of Geddes included. His resolution, "after an inter- 
esting and eloquent debate," was adopted. 

A resolution offered by George Stevens and seconded by Harvey 
Baldwin "that we also invite the village of Liverpool to join in such 
application" was adopted "after an animated debate." 

In accordance with a motion made by Dr. Lyman Clary the 
chairman named the following committee of thirteen to draft a 
charter and report back at another meeting : 

John Wilkinson, M. D. Burnet, Hiram Putnam, George F. Corn- 
stock, J. R. Lawrence, Amos P. Granger, Harvey Baldwin, Chas. B. 
Sedgwick, Hamilton White, Lyman Clary, Thomas McCarthy, Noah 
Wood and Warren H. Porter. 

Capt. Oliver Teall then offered the following : 

Resolved, That whether the annexation of Sa- 
lina takes place or not, the inhabitants of the vil- 
lage of Syracuse will hold a day of public rejoic- 
ing, thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, as 
soon as that most debasing and degrading custom 
of furnishing Wine at our social parties shall 
have taken its departure from our beautiful vil- 
lage, no more to spread its withering and dele- 
terious influence throughout our community. 

This was seconded by Wm. B. Kirk, and carried "unanimously." 
(Note — The italics are in a printed summary in the record.) 



Resolution : Mar. 15 

Resolved That Mr Van Meusen be appointed to 
obtain the necessary balls & chains for the prison- 

35 



ers in the jail preparatory to setting them to work 
for the Corporation — 



July 9 Resolution: 

Resolved That the County Superintendent and 
Poor Master of the Town of Salina be permitted 
to erect a building to be used as a hospital, on 
such lot on or near the East line of the Corpora- 
tion as the Trustees may designate 



July 12 The Syracuse and Oswego Telegraph Company was required to 

change the location of "their posts in Salina St." 



July 13 Order: 

Ordered that Salina St. be opened from Castle 
St. to Burt St. six rods wide according to a Sur- 
vey made by Benj. F. Green 



July 27 "Village Meeting held at Market Hall." A committee reported 

in detail in regard to the Fire Department, saying in part : "At the 
first organization * * * many of our most prominent citizens 
attached themselves to the Fire Companies, and performed the requi- 
site service in such a manner as to establish the conviction that the 
system was efficient, useful and creditable to the town. 

"At a subsequent period, the Fire Companies seemed to haye 
been composed of a considerable portion of new members, and the 
former rigid discipline was in some measure relaxed. The comfort- 
able Engine Houses that were built by the Corporation, became the 
resorts of the vicious, and an entire want of confidence in the De- 
partment, or in a considerable proportion of it, became so thor- 
oughly established, that we believe all the Companies but one volun- 
tarily disbanded" * * *. 

A rearrangement was proposed and unanimously approved, under 
which specified defects were apparently to be remedied and in addi- 
tion "all the stimulous to strife, to contest, and to jealousy would be 
withdrawn." 

The citizens assembled recommended Hamilton White for Chief 
Engineer and Nathan Cobb for Assistant Engineer. They were sub- 
sequently appointed. 



Aug. 3 At the village meeting above noted the citizens had, without pub- 

lic notice of intention of such action, voted in favor of a motion "to 
remit the fine imposed on Wesley Hicox, for tempering morter on 
the side walk." The Trustees, meeting with this citizens' procedure 
before them for "action thereon," resented the "directing" of them 
"to remit the fine" for the "obstruction" of the sidewalk and de- 
fended their dignity in resolutions, offered by A. McKinstry, which 
were in part as follows : 

Resolved as the opinion of this board that the 
power to impose & remit penalties for the viola- 



tion of Village Ordinances belongs exclusively to 
the Trustees — That such power is derived not 
from the Citizens but from the Legislature under 
the Charter of the Village And that in the discre- 
tionary exercise of that power the Action of this 
Board is not Subject to the control or Authority 
of any public meeting of the Village 

Resolved as the opinion of this Board that if 
the power to remit penalties belonged to the Citi- 
zens in public meetings no binding resolution 
could be passed by such meeting unless covered 
by notice calling such meeting 

Resolved that we consider it derogatory to our 
own dignity as public ofificers as well as subver- 
sive of the good order and government of the 
Village to yield our own views of propriety And 
duty in matters over which we hold permanent 
and exclusive jurisdiction to the sympathies or 
the passions of a public meeting acting in ignor- 
ance of facts And without the semblance of Au- 
thority; And that no board possessing self re- 
spect will pass restrictive ordinances or Enforce 
the penalty of Violation if their proceedings are 
held subject to review and reversal by any public 
Assembly of Citizens 

Resolved That this Board do not deem it their 
duty to remit the penalty imposed on said 
Hickox And that the same be duly Collected by 
the Village Attorney 
On this declaration Trustees McKinstry, Leonard and Agnew 
voted in the affirmative and Trustee Cleveland in the negative, 
President E. W. Leavenworth apparently not voting. 



"Application of Richard Raynor to have the Oswego freight Aug. 9 
packet prohibited from unloading Emigrants and paupers on the 
Packet landing in front of the Townsend block. Laid on the table" 



E. Welch ordered to "place his fence at the south end of Salina Aug. 16 
St. on the west side of the same on the line of the Street According 
to a Survey made by B. F. Green." 



"E. W. Leavenworth presented a memorial on the Subject of a Sept. 6 
City Charter which was unanimously adopted & ordered to be pre- •♦ 
sented to the Legislature at their next Session" 



Resolution adopted at meeting of citizens: Sept. 10 

Resolved, That we believe the mill pond in the 
west part of the village of Syracuse is a nuisance. 
That it has been the cause of a great part of the 
sickness that has prevailed in the place during the 
past summer, and that the future health and 

37 



prosperity of the village require that it should be 
suppressed. 

Resolved, That a Committee of five be ap- 
pointed whose business it shall be to see the case 
properly presented to the next Grand Jury in this 
County, and if a bill shall be found, to adopt such 
measures as they shall deem most advisable to in- 
sure a speedy trial. 



Oct. 4 Application of Y. W. Smith granted "for the use of the Town 

hall for the Whig State Convention on Wednesday Oct. 6th — " 



Nov. I Petition granted for calling of a public meeting "to take measures 

to secure the removal of the Madison University to this place." At 
the meeting later the following were made a committee "to investi- 
gate the matter and report" : Rev. Mr. Raymond, Gen. Grange. 
John Wilkinson, Oliver Teall, W. B. Kirk, C. T. Hicks, M. D. Bur- 
net, Horace White and P. S. Stoddard. 



Nov. 4 Citizens' meeting, called by Board of Trustees. Resolutions 

were reported by a committee, consisting of D. D. Hillis, C. M. 
Brosnan and S. D. Dillaye, of which the following was the pre- 
amble : 

Whereas, Our friends and fellow townsmen, 
Brig. Gen. E. D. Hopping and Capt. E. Kirby 
Smith, of the U. S. A., have lately fallen in Mex- 
ico — the former a victim to the uncongenialities 
of a foreign climate, while in command of the 
Camp of Instruqtion at Mier, in the service of his 
country, and before he was offered an opportu- 
nity of exhibiting the qualities of a soldier in the 
battle field, which we all knew him to possess — 
the later a distinguished soldier, born in the camp 
and bred to arms ; having marched with General 
Taylor from Corpus Christi ; having participated 
in the glorious achievements of Palo Alto, Re- 
seca, Vera Cruz, Contreras, Cherubusco, and fin- 
ally having fallen gallantly at the head of his 
battalion, while leading the charge before the 
walls of Molino del Rey, 

It was thereupon resolved, after certain expressions of esteem 
and condolence, "that the citizens of this village will send for the 
bodies of their deceased friends, but declining to receive the public 
funds tor this object, we prefer to raise them by private subscrip- 
tion." 

The following committee of ten "to circulate a subscription" was 
appointed : "Messrs. Hillis, Brosnan, Jas. Noxon, Gen. Granger, 
Timothy Cheney, Benson, Mlnard, P. N. ffust, W. W. Teall, and J. 
L. Bagg." 

Nov. 17 It was resolved that an offer of J. H. Tomlinson of certain court 

38 



quarters "be accepted & that this board do hereby designate & pro- 
vide the north end of the Empire Block as the place for the holding 
of the Courts mentioned in" a legislative act passed Oct. 16. The act 
provided that any court of record thereafter to be held in this 
county, "not requiring the attendance of a Grand or Petit Jury, in- 
stead of being held at the Court House in the village of Syracuse, 
may be held at such other places in said village, as the Corporation 
thereof shall provide for that purpose." 

Mr. Tomlinson's ofifer gave "free of rent, for at least five years," 
a first-floor court room, with permanent fixtures, "with the entrance 
from Salina street and wholly separated from and disconnected with 
the Public House kept in another portion of said block," and l^vo 
rooms connected with the court room "for a Public Library or other 
purposes connected with the said Court aforesaid." Mr. Tomlinson 
went farther : 

"The said Court room shall be lighted from the South, West and 
North, and the windows on the West shall look out upon a yard, in 
the rear of said block; the barns to be removed, and the yard sown 
to grass, shrubs, &c." 



"An Act to incorporate the City of Syracuse" was passed by the Dec. 14 
Legislature. 



"Petition of Mr Potter for Market Hall to be converted into a Dec. 28 
theater. Denied" 



YEAR 1848. 

Xotice was published in the Daily Journal and the Daily Star, 
by V. W. Smith as County Clerk, under date of January 5, and such 
publication of the notice was continued daily for four weeks, to the 
effect that on the date of first publication (Jan. 6) the "act of incor- 
poration" of Syracuse as a city "becomes a law" by reason of the 
following recited facts : 

An election had been held Jan. 3 in each of the villages of Syra- 
cuse and Salina, each village giving a majority vote for the city 
charter, as follows : 

Syracuse Salina Totals 
Total vote 1,843 424 2.267 

"Charter" 1,072 385 1,457 

"No Charter" 771 39 810 

Majorities for charter 301 346 647 

The combined majority for the city charter was therefore 647. 
Syracuse, with its larger voting population, contributed only 301 of 
this, or 45 less than Salina; Salina gave 346, only 39 Salina voters 
opposing the charter. 



Jan. 6 



39 



Citizens' meeting. The following were made a committee "to 
draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting": "D. D. 
Hillis, M. D. Burnett, Wm. W. Teall, Edward Cooper, Cha's Rust." 
On their report the assembly unanimously adopted resolutions of 
which the following was the preamble: 

We, the citizens of Syracuse, deeply deploring 
the loss of our fellow townsman, Capt. E. Kirby 
Smith, who fell while bravely leading his com- 
mand in the battle of El Molino del Rey, on the 
8th of September last ; and highly appreciating his 
character as a citizen and soldier which rendered 
him equally an ornament of society and an honor 
• to his country ; and cherishing a high sense of 

those noble qualities which led him to seal his de- 
votion to his country with his life, do hereby ex- 
press our admiration of his character as an officer 
and a citizen and acknowledge our gratitude to 
him for associating the name of our city with his 
own in the imperishable renown he has won on 
the battle field ; 

Thereupon the citizens resolved to have "appropriate funeral ob- 
sequies," the following committee of ten to act with the Trustees in 
arranging for the occasion : "H. Baldwin, M. D. Burnett, Horace 
White, W. W. Teall, P. N. Rust, I. T. Minard, D. D. Hillis, P. Out- 
water, jr., W. A. Cook, Edward Cooper." 



"Ordered that the polls for the election of city officers be held 
the following places in the 2d 3d & 4th Wards viz — 
In the 2d Ward at the Empire house 
" " 3d " " Thomas J. Keelers tavern 
" " 4th •* " Market Hall" 



First municipal election. 

The last Trustees of the village of Syracuse, having canvassed 
the vote cast in the several wards, certified to the election of the 
following city officers : 

Mayor — Harvey Baldwin. 

justices of the Peace — Hiram Judson and Ciiarles S. Giles. 

Overseers of the Poor — John Durnford and Roger Bates. 

Collector — Heman Huntley. 

Street Commissioner — Jefiferson Phillips. 

Marshall — John Hurst. 

Treasurer — Perry Burdic. 

D. P. Wood, the last Village Clerk, closed the village record with 
the following list of ward officers elected for the new city of Syra- 
cuse: 

First Ward 

Aldermen— James Lynch and Elizur Clark 



40 



Supervisor — Coddington B. Williams 
Assessor — Isaac R. Quereau 
Constable — Harvey W. Freeman 

Inspectors of Election — P. Cooney, Alonzo Crippin, Warren H. 
Porter. Appointed. 

Second Ward 

Aldermen — Alexander McKinstry and John B. Burnett 
Supervisor — Lewis J. Gillett 
Assessor — George Stevens 
Constable — Adam W. Goodfellow 

Inspectors of Election— Hiram Judson, Grove Lawrence, Isaac T. 
Minard. Appointed. 

Third Ward 

Aldermen — Gardner Lawrence and William H. Allexander 
Supervisor — Hiram Putnam 
Assessor — John C. Hanchett 
Constable — Sylvester House 

Inspectors of Election— Philander W. Fobes, Charles F. Willis- 
ton, Cornelius Shirley. Appointed. 

Fourth Ward 

Aldermen — Henry W. Durnford and Robert Furman 
Supervisor — Zebulon Ostrom 
Assessor — Smith Ostrom 
Constable — Joseph Kenyon 

Inspectors of Election — Henry D. Hatch, John G. Kendall, David 
Bonta. Appointed. 



41 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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